Container opener



Dec. 19, 1967 R. K. CARLSON ET AL CONTAINER OPENER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed July 12, 1965 Dec. 19, 1967 R. K. CARLSON ET 3,353,355

CONTAINER OPENER Filed July 12, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 1967 R. K. CARLSONET 3,353,365

CONTAINER OPENER 4 Sheets-Sheet Filed July 12, 1965 CAN E'IM rRA/ 5EDCUTTER POSITION LOWEST CUTTER P05.

Dec. 19, 1967 R. K. CARLSON ET AL CONTAINER OPENER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4Filed July 12, 1965 United States Patent 3,358,365 CONTAlNER OPENERRichard K. Carlson, Chicago, Samuel B. McMaster, Deerfield, and KarlMaiershofer, Park Ridge, 11]., assignors, by direct and mesneassignments, of one-half to Cory Corporation, a corporation of Delaware,and one-half to Universal Tool and Manufacturing Corporation,

Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed July 12, 1965, Ser. No.471,155 24 Claims. (Cl. 30-4) This invention relates to containeropeners and more particularly to a motor driven container opener of thetype which drives a can in rotation while severing the lid from the can.

In the past, can openers of this general type have been provided withmeans for automatically starting rotation of the can feed wheelpreparatory to cutting and for automatically stopping the can feed wheelafter the lid is severed. However, these prior devices have the seriousdisadvantages of necessitating many complicated parts and in someinstances can sensing projections outside the can opener housing wherethey may be misaligned during use. Furthermore, some prior automatic canopeners employ switches remotely positioned from the electric drivemotor for energizing the motor. The type of switch required in a remotelocation is rather expensive and has the further disadvantage that itdoes not compensate for manufacturing errors in the switch actuatingmechanism so that the feed drive motor will not start and stop rotationof the feed wheel at the proper times. Another problem in these priorelectric can opening devices, is that they require expensive cast metalchassis or frames to support the operating elements of the opener. Whileplastic face plates and cover members for the metal frames have beenprovided in the past, a metal frame was required to support theoperating elements.

According to the present invention, a pivotally mounted cutter carryingplate is provided which is cammed to the cutting position by anoperating handle. The handle is constructed to first pivot the plate andcutter downwardly piercing the can and then permit the cutter to retracta short distance under the influence of the cutting forces on thecutter. Before the plate is moved upwardly the motor is automaticallyenergized in response to the position of the operating handle. A springcontinuously urges the handle, and indirectly the cutter, away from thecutting position so that when the cutting forces cease upon severance ofthe can the cutter drops slightly permitting the spring to rotate theoperating handle away from the cutting position which serves todeenergize the feed drive motor. This construction provides a new andsimplified container opener heretofore unknown in the art.

Further, according to the present invention a flexible contact switch isprovided adjacent the electric drive motor rather than remotely spacedtherefrom as in prior art devices. This permits the use of a lessexpensive switch construction. An elongated pivotally mounted flexibleactuator driven by the operating handle, when it is near the cuttingposition, permits accurate switch actuation without post-assemblyadjustment even under rather loose manufacturing tolerances.

Another feature of the present device is that the operating elements ofthe can opener are mounted in a plastic chassis or frame member. Asnoted above heretofore known can opening devices include a metal framemember as the less expensive plastic materials were thought inadequateto provide the necessary support for the operating elements. However thepresent inventors have found that by providing integral, elongatedbosses in the non-metallic frame for the various operating shafts andpivots with a relatively thin metal plate fixed to the 3,358,365Patented Dec. 19, 1967 end of the bosses that the operating shafts couldbe adequately supported by mounting them both in the plastic bosses andin the metal plate. In this manner the radial forces on any one shaftare transferred and distributed across the plate to the other shafts orpivots thereby providing a strong and rigid structure.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide anew and improved can opener of the type described in which a pivotallymounted cutter carrying plate, the position of which is responsive tothe cutting forces, energizes the drive motor to begin the cuttingoperation and deenergizes the drive motor when the lid is severed.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved electric can opener of the type described immediately abovewherein a pivotal manual handle having a camming pin is provided to camthe cutter carrying plate into position. The cam pin is resilientlybiased away from the cutting position by a spring and biased towards thecutting position by the cutting forces through the cutter plate. Uponlid severance the cutter carrying plate drops permitting the pin to movethe influence of the spring thereby deenergizing the feed wheel drivemotor.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedelectric can opener of the type described above which employs anon-metallic main frame member to support the operating elements of thecan opener in a less expensive manner than heretofore known in the priorart.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved electric can opener of the type de scribed above which includesa flexible actuator for remotely closing the motor switch contacts in amanner to accurately time the opening and closing of the contacts evenunder rather loose manufacturing tolerances in the actuating mechanism.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved electric can opener of the type described above in which theelectric motor is mounted directly on a plastic main frame member in amanner heretofore unknown in the prior art. An extensible drive belt isprovided between the drive motor and the can rotating feed wheel so thatinaccuracies in the non-rnetallic frame member will not affect the drivetorque to the feed wheel. An ancillary object relating to the feed wheeldrive is the provision of pulleys having convex driving surfaces so thatbelts of varying diameter may be employed effectively to transmit torquefrom the electric motor to the feed wheel.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedelectric can opener of the type described immediately above in which theelectric motor driven belt drives an abrading wheel for use as a knifesharpener. The abrading wheel is mounted on a shaft carrying a similarpulley with convex drive surfaces to compensate for varying belt widthsand belt wear.

Other objects and advantages will be readily apparent from the followingdetailed description taken in connec-' tion with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-section of the present can opening device;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation of the present can opening device with thecover member removed.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic illustrations of the cutter carrying platein various positions during the can opening cycle;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevation of the plastic main frame member;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-section taken generally along line 6-5 ofFIG. 2 showing the motor switch;

FIG. 7 is a rear elevation of the operating handle taken generallyalong77 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary elevation, partly in cross-section, showing thecutter and lid magnet.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the electric can opener generallydesignated, by the numeral 10 is seen to include a generally verticalframe member 11 supported within a one-piece cover member 12, havingsupporting feet 13 thereon. The. main frame member 11 ispreferablyinjection molded of a suitable plastic such as polystyrene. The

frame member 11 has a plurality of rearwardly projecting bosses 1'5, 16,17, 18 and 19 integral therewith connected by integral supportwebs 20vas shown more clearly in FIG. 5. The ends of the bosses 15"to 19-lie ina common plane substantially parallel to theforward face of frame member11: Extending from the lower portion of the frame member 11 are aplurality of motor mounting bosses 22, 23, 24: and 25. Bosses 22 and23directly abut one side of the, motor stator plates of the electricmotor 28 and receive fasteners 21 and 21' extending therethrough. Bosses2.4,. and" 25' abut the motor housing flanges 27. Suitable fasteners inthe mounting flanges. 27t extend into the bosses 24 and 25 and aresupported therein.

Electric motor 28 has a drive shaft 29 which receives a pulley 30,preferably constructed of a plastic such as nylon, fixed theretobysuitable means (not shown). Pulley 30 has a. first drive groove 31 whichreceives a belt 32 for rotating a cooling fan 34 for the motor.

Pulley 30 also receives an elastic flexible O-ring 35 which engages anddrives a feed wheel pulley 37 and an abrading wheel pulley 38. The feedwheel pulley 37 has an integral gear 40' which drives a feed gear 41which in turn is..connected to drive the can rotating feed wheel 42.

Pulley 37 is rotatable on shaft 47 which is m-ounted'in projecting boss19. Pulley 38 is rotatably mounted on shaft 50 which i in turn mountedin boss 17. A knife sharpening abrading wheel 53 is fixed to theprojecting end of pulley 38 so that when the motor 28. is energized, theknife sharpening wheel will rotate.

As the frame 11v is injection molded of a suitable plastic material, itis difficult to maintainan accurate location of the motor mountingbosses 22 to 25 with respect to thewabrading wheel and feed pulleybosses 17 and 19. These production variations would ordinarily result inwide variations in the transmission efiiciency if a common gear'trainwere employed. In the present device, the elasticity of O-ring 35compensates for these variations as it is stretchable and canaccommodate for variations in shaft locations while maintainingasubstantially constant transmission efficiency.

The pulleys 30 and 38 are designed to accommodate O-rings of a varyingcross section. It is desirable to have steep sides on the pulleys toprovide the'necessary wedging action on the O-ring to transmit thenecessary drive torque without slippage. With conventional flat sidedpulleys with steep sides, it is possible to achieve the necessarywedging action but the effective radius of the belton the pulleys variessignificantly thereby changing the drive ratio. For a given nominal sizeO-ring, the actual cross section of the ring will vary from ring to ringbecause of manufacturing tolerances. Furthermore, the cross section ofthe O-ring may diminish after use as a result of wear. In the presentdevice the sides ofpulleys 30 and 38- have an increasing slope so thateven with O-ring variations, the

ring will be wedged securely between the sides withoutslipping andwithout significantly changing the mechanical advantage of the drive. Asthe pulley are called upon tosupply more torque, the ring is drawn intoa steeper sided portion of the pulley, so that it doesnot slip. The ringengaging surfaces on pulley 38 and the ring engaging surfaces 58onpulley 30 are convex in any radial plane to provide this increasingslope so that a relatively large variation in belt cros section will notsignificantly change the effective radius of the belt on the pulleys.Therefore,

variations in available torque for the abrading wheel 53 and the feedwheel 42 are minimized.

Turning now to the cutter operating mechanism generally designated bythe numeral 60 in FIG. 1 and shown in part in FIGS. 3 and 4, a generallytriangular cutter carrying plate 61 is pivotally mounted'on the forwardface of the frame member 11 and has a pivot pin 62 fixed in the left endthereof as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Pin 62 is pivotally mounted in the boss 16 in the frame member 11 asshown in FIG. 5. Cutter plate 61 carries a generally disc shaped cutter64 which is spring biased in a conventional manner. Cutter 64 projectsangularlyfrom the lower edge of the cutter plate.

As shown clearly in FIG. 3 in solid lines, the cutter plate 61 has afirst generally arcuate slot 66 therein substantially aligned on acircle drawn about the axis of pivot shaft 62. A second camming slot 68intersects the slot 66 and i generally aligned on a line intersectingthe axis of pivot 62. Slot 68 has a curved cam portion 69 effectiveduring the can piercing operation. A high point 72 on slot 68 controlsthe lowermost position of the cutter plate 61. A pocket 73 is defined inthe end of slot 68 for receiving a cam pin 75 when the cutter is in thecutting position. Pocket 73 is below the high point 72 of the cam.

The cutter carrying plate 61 has a can hold-down foot 76 fixed theretoas shown in FIG. 4.

An operating handle assembly generally designated bythe numeral 78 isprovided for pivoting the cutter carrying plate 61 from a retractedposition to the can cutting position. The operating handle or leverassembly 78 includes a generally rectangular plastic handle frame member88 having a pivot pin 81 fixed thereto at one corner which extendsthrough slot 66 in the cutter plate 61 and rotatably mounted in framemember boss 15. The handle 80 thus is pivotal about the fixed axis ofpivot shaft 81.

Spaced below and to one side of the pivot shaft 81 (when the handle ishorizontal) is a camming pin 75 also mounted within the handle frame 80,as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 7. The cam pin 75 extends through slot 68in the cutter plate, through an arcuate slot 83in the frame member 11and into the interior frame member 11 as shown in FIG. I. A roller 84 isrotatably mounted on the cam pin 75 between the frame 11 and the handleframe 80, and is adapted to engage the surfaces of thecamming slot 68 inthe cutter plate 61.

As the operating handle 78 is rotated counterclockwise from the inactivegenerally vertical position, shown in solidlines in FIG. 3, the roller84 rolls on the cam surface 69 forcing the cutter plate downwardly in aclockwise direction so that the cutter 64 pierces the lid of the can. Asroller 84 reaches the high point 72. of slot 68' as shown in dottedlines in FIG. 4, the handle is substan-. tially horizontal and thebottom edgeof cutter plate 61 angles slightly downward. As will appearhereinafter, the feed wheel automatically begins rotation afteradditional rotation from this position. A small further movementof theroller 84 from this positionv causes the cut-.

ting force acting on the cutter 64 and the force of the can on thehold-down foot 76 to rotate the cutter plate 61 counterclockwise a shortdistance forcing the roller 84'into the pocket 73 in slot 68. It shouldbe understood that in this position the cam pin 75 is over-center suchthat the cam pocket 73 tends to rotate the pin and the handle 78 incounterclockwise directionabout pivot pin 81. This is due to the factthat in this cutting position the cam pin 75 is spaced further fromplate pivot 62 than the handle pivot 81 is spaced from pivot 62, andalso due to the inclination of the pocket 73. The cutting force and theforce of the can rim on hold-down foot 76 maintain the cam pin 75 inpocket 73'until the lid is severed, at which time the cutting forcescease and the force of the can rim on foot 76 is insufficient tomaintain cam pin 75 in the pocket 73 against the biasing force of aspring, de-

l scribed below, and at that time the cam pin will move to the leftapproximately to the position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 4 whereatthe drive motor is deenergized automatically and the cutter carryingplate 61 drops slightly.

A flexible actuator member 86 and a switch assembly 87 are provided forenergizing the feed wheel drive motor 28 when cam roller 84 moves pastthe lowest cutter position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 4. Thisassembly is also effective to deenergize the feed wheel drive motor whenthe camming pin 75 moves from the cutting position shown in full linesin FIG. 4 in response to a cessation of the cutting forces on cutter 64when the lid is severed. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the actuator 86includes an elongated laterally flexible member 88 having transverselyprojecting ears 89 pivotally mounted between the frame member 11 and aframe support plate 90 for rotation about a horizontal axis 91. As shownclearly in FIG. 2 the upper end of actuating member 88 has a projection94 which receives a compression spring 95. Spring 95 thus biases theelongated actuator member 88 against the camming pin 75 when the pin isin the can cutting position. The biasing spring 95 is of sufiicientstrength to lower the cutter plate against the upward force of thehold-down foot and the force exerted by the can friction on the cutter64. In one exemplary construction, compression spring 95 was designed toexert a force on the order of about pounds. Spring 95 is seated betweenintegral projections 96 on a rearwardly projecting flange 97circumscribing frame member 11. The actuator 88 is positioned so that itwill close switch 87 when the handle 80 is approximately horizontal. Theforces exerted on the cutter carrying plate 61 by the hold-down foot 76and the spring 95 are small compared to the cutting force to assure thatwhen the cutting force drops out when the lid is severed, the cutterplate will drop and the switch 87 will open. In the exemplaryconstruction noted, the force of the hold-down foot 76 was approximatelypounds.

The lower end of the flexible actuator 88 engages a switch plunger 100.As is shown in FIG. 6 the switch 87 is of a generally conventionalconstruction and includes a flexible contact carrying arm 101 and a stopmember 192 for limiting the inward movement of plunger 100. The flexiblearm 101 permits a small amount of over travel of the plunger 109 aftercontacts 104 are closed and the motor is energized.

The actuator assembly 86 is designed to impose a light force on switch87 so that the switch closes approximately when the handle member 80 ishorizontal. As shown in FIG. 2 when the handle member is slightly belowhorizontal, cam pin 75 engages the upper end of a flexible member 88. Asmall further movement of the pin to the left, as viewed in FIG. 2,produces a virtually instantaneous rotation of flexible member 88 arounda pivot axis 91 and the rapid closing of switch contacts 104. Note thatthe switch contacts as viewed in FIG. 6 are relatively close to oneanother. Further movement of the pin 75 toward the can cutting positionmerely results in a flexure of the elongated member 88 (as shown indotted line in FIG. 2) and some bending of the flexible contact carryingarm 101. It is apparent that because of the sensitivity of the switchactuator 86 and the switch 87 that tolerances in the position of theactuator 86, the switch 87 or the cam pin 75 will not adversely affectthe proper energization of the motor 28. Furthermore, the flexibility ofactuator 86 prevents additional forces from being applied to cam pin 75.

Turning again to the construction of the plastic main frame member 11,it will be recalled that this frame is constructed to support all of theoperating shafts of the can opening device in addition to the electricmotor itself. Support plate 90 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and in dottedlines in FIG. 5 is seen to be a relatively thin plate of irregular shapepreferably constructed of metal. Plate 90 is mounted on the plasticbosses to 19 and receives the operating shafts and pivots as shown inFIG. 5. Each of these shafts is supported in their respective bosses,which as noted above are plastic, and in the support plate 90. The plate90, rather than providing any independent support, transfers the radialload on one shaft to the others thereby distributing the load over allthe shafts and pivots. In this manner the bosses 15 to 19 can withstanda much greater radial shaft load than would ordinarily be possible.

As seen in FIG. 7, the handle frame 88 is constructed in a similarmanner to the main frame 11 and it is also constructed of a plasticmaterial such as polystyrene. A generally triangular support plate 110is mounted on the distal ends of projecting bosses 111, 112 and 113.Plate 110 is fastened to the plastic handle 80 by a Phillips head screw116 threaded in boss 113. The handle pivot shaft 81 extends into boss111 and is supported therein and in the plate 110. Cam pin 75 is mountedin a similar manner in boss 112 and the plate. An alignment pin 118 onthe handle projects through a suitable aperture in plate 110. Radialforces on pivot shaft 81 or cam pin 75 are distributed to the othermembers, the screw 116, and the pin 81 thereby distributing the load allacross the handle 80.

As shown in FIG. 8 a magnet assembly 120 is provided including a magnet121 carried by a resilient arm 122 received on a cutter shaft 124.

One important feature in the present construction is that cutter member64 pierces the container lid during its downward movement and thenwithdraws slightly to the cutting position. This results in a pierce inthe lid which is wider than the cutter, allowing the motor rotor to turnbefore it sees a load. For example, if the pierce is inch larger thanthe cutter, the feed wheel 42 will turn ,4 of a turn before the lid loadis applied to the rotor. If the drive ratio between the motor rotor andthe feed wheel is 32 to l, the rotor will turn through two revolutionsbefore the lid load is applied. In this manner the drive system developssome inertia and running friction rather than static friction before thefull load is applied to the motor. Furthermore, the enlarged pierce inthe lid of the container allows the motor rotor to move the O-ring 35from its set position in the pulleys prior to the application of thefull cutting load. This feature of reduced load starting minimizes thenecessary motor size for the unit.

While the operation of the present device is believed apparent from thefollowing detailed description, it is believed that the functions of thedevice will be more readily appreciated from the following operationaldescription.

The operating handle 80 is manually retracted to its retracted positionslightly over vertical as shown in solid lines in FIG. 3. Cutter 64 isthen spaced from the feed wheel 42 so that a can rim may be inserted andrested on the feed wheel 42. Handle 89 is then rotated clockwise and thefollowing sequence of events occurs:

(1) Roller 84 carried by the handle 80 moves to the position generallydesignated by the numeral driving the cutter 64 down into engagementwith the lid of the can,

(2) As roller 84 moves from position 130 to position 132, the cutter 64stretches the lid material and at position 132 (whereat the cutter is inthe lower position shown in FIG. 3) cutter 64 pierces the lid of thecan,

(3) Further rotation of the pin 84 from position 132 causes the cutterto enlarge the pierce until roller 84 reaches the dotted line positionshown in FIG. 4. At this point, the handle 80 is almost horizontal andthe cutter 64 is in its lowermost position as shown. Roller 84 thenengages the high point 72 of cam slot 68. The piercing of the can lid isthen complete, and

(4) A small further movement of roller 84 clockwise from the positionshown in FIG. 4 causes pin 75 to engage the upper end of the elongatedactuator member 88 and rotate the actuator against the biasing force ofspring 95 closing switch 87 and energizing the motor 28. The feed 7.wheel 42 begins rotation at this time so that the cutting forces oncutter 64 and the force of the can rim on the hold-down foot 76 urge thecutter plate 61 in a counterclockwise direction a small distanceupwardly thereby forcing roller 84-and cam pin 75 to the solid lineposition shown in-FIG. 4 in the pocket of slot 68. In this position, thehandle 81} is pivoted somewhat below vertical. Feed wheel 42 thencontinues rotating until the lid is completely severed. When the cuttingforces on cutter 64 cease, the force on the hold-down foot 76 isinsuflicient to maintain the cutter plate-61 in its raised positionagainst the biasing force of spring 95, and the cutter plate drops tothe lowest cutter position as shown in FIG. 4. This permits the biasingspring 95 to move the pin 75 leftward as shown in FIG. 4' therebyopening switch 87 and deenergizing the drive motor 28 so that the canstops its rotation. The can is then removed by rotating the handle 80clockwise to its retracted position shown in the solid lines in FIG. 3.

While we have shown and described one embodiment of our invention, it isto be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes,therefore, in the construction and'arrangement may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in theappended claims.

We claim:

1. In a container opener, the combination comprising: a rotatable feedwheel for driving the container to beopened, motor means for rotatingsaid feed wheel, a cutter member, a cutter carrying member pivotallymounted about a fixed axis movable between a cutting position and, aninactive position, a manually controllable member pivotally mountedabout a fixed axis and having means supported thereon directly engagingthe cutter carrying member to position the same, means for biasing saidcutter carrying member away from saidcutting position, means includingthe cutting force for biasing said cutter, carrying member towardthecutting position, andmeans responsive to the position of said cuttercarry.- ing member for stopping rotation of said feed wheel.

2. In a container opener, the combination-comprising: a feed wheel fordriving the container in rotation, means for rotating said feed wheel, acutting member, a cutter carrying member pivotally mounted about a fixedaxis, lever means pivotal about a fixed axis separate from and directlyengaging said cutter carrying member for moving said member between aninactive position andia container cutting position, means forbiasingsaid cutter carrying member toward the inactive position, meansresponsive to the cutting force for biasing said cutter carrying membertoward the cutting position, and means responsive to the positionofrsaid lever for automatically terminating. rotation of said feed wheelwhen the container is, severed.

3. In a container opener, the combination comprising: a rotatable feedwheel for driving the containerin rotation, means for rotating'the feedwheel, acutter, a cutter carrying member pivotal about a fixed axis,said cutter carrying member having a cam groove therein, a pivotallymounted lever having a projection engaging said groove for pivoting saidcutter member between aninactive position and a cutting position, meansengaging said projection for biasing said projection in one directionand said cutter member toward the inactive position, meansresponsive tothe cutting forces for biasing said projectionin the oppositedirection,and'means responsive to the position of said projection for renderingsaid feed wheel rotating means inactive when the container is severed.

4. In a container opener, the combination comprising: a feed wheel fordriving a container in rotation, means for-rotating said feed wheel, acutter, a cutter carrying plate pivotally mounted about a fixed axis,said cutter being fixed to said plate at a point spaced from said platepivot, a first slot in said plate generally aligned on an arc about'theplate pivot, a secondcam slot in saidplate 8 generally aligned withaline extending through said plate pivot, a lever for pivoting saidcutter plate between an in- I active position and a cutting position,said lever having a fixed pivot extending through said first slot and aprojection spaced from said pivot, said projection engaging said secondcam slot, said lever being movable to the overcenter container cuttingposition where said projection is spaced further from said plate pivotthan said lever pivot is spaced from said plate pivot, means responsiveto the cutting forces for maintaining said cutter plate in the cuttingposition, means for biasing said cutter plate away from said cuttingposition, and means for automatically stopping rotation of said feedwheel when the container is severed.

5. In a container opener as defined in claim 4, wherein said means forbiasing the cutter plate away from the cutting position includes aspring connected to urge the lever projection away from its over centerposition so that when the container is severed and the cutting forces onthe cutter plate cease the spring will urge the lever projection and thecutter plate downwardly; said feed wheel rotating means including anelectric motor, switch means for connecting said motor to a source ofsupply, means responsive to the lever projection position for actuatingsaid switch to energize the motor when the projection is approximatelythe same distance from said cutter plate pivot as said lever pivot istherefrom; and means responsive to the'lever projection position fordeenergizing said motor when the cutting forces terminate permit: tingsaid projection to move away from the over center position.

6. In a container opener as defined in claim 5, wherein said leverprojection responsive means includes an elongated flexible switchactuator, said actuator being pivotally mounted with one end engagingsaid switch and the other end engaging said lever projection, saidspring being mounted to bias said other end of said actuator toward saidlever projection, whereby rotation of said lever toward the cuttingposition will cause engagement of the lever projection with saidactuator and movement thereof to close said switch.

7. In a container opener, the combination comprising: a generallyvertical frame member, a feed wheel extending from said frame memberadapted to drive a container in rotation, a motor mounted on said framemember spaced from said'feed wheel, saidmotor having aswitch adjacentthereto substantially spaced from said feed wheel adapted to connectsaid motor to a source of supply, a cutter member mounted on said framemember, means for relatively moving said feed wheel and said cuttermember to an inactive position and a cutting position;

and a switch actuating assembly for closing and opening I said: switchas the cutter member and feed wheel approach and withdraw fromthecutting position including an elongated flexible member having one endconnected to move in response to said. relative movement of the cuttermember toward the cutting position, the other end being connected'tosaid switch, saidflexible member being pivotally mounted with the pivotbeing closer to saidone connected end than the other, wherebyover-travel of said one end of the elongated member after the switch isclosed will result in a flexure of the elongated member.

8. In a container opener as defined in claim 7, wherein said elongatedmember is longitudinally flexible.

9. In a container opener, the combination comprising: a non-rnetallicframe member having a plurality of integral bosses extending rearwardlytherefrom and terminating in a plane substantially parallel to theforward face of said-frame member, said bosses having bores therein, asupport plate mounted on the distal ends of said non-metallic bosses andhaving openings therein aligned with said boss bores, operating shaftsextending through said support plate and into said'bores, said shaftsbeing supported in said plate and in said frame member, at least oneofsaid shafts having a portion thereof extending from said plate on theside thereof opposite said bosses, and drive means connected to saidportion of said one shaft.

10. In a container opener as defined in claim 9, and further including afeed wheel for driving a container in rotation, a feed wheel drive shaftextending through one of said bosses and said support plate, gear meansconnected to rotate said drive shaft, a cutter carrying plate on theforward face of said frame member, said plate being pivotally mounted ona shaft extending through one of said bosses and said support plate.

11. In a container opener as defined in claim 10, and further includinga handle member for operating said cutter plate, said handle beingpivotally mounted on a shaft extending through one of said bosses andsaid support plate.

12. In a container opener as defined in claim 11, and further includinga shaft for supporting an abrading wheel extending through said supportplate and into one of said bosses.

13. In a container opener as defined in claim 9, wherein said framemember is molded plastic.

14. In a container opener, as defined in claim 9, and further includinga motor spaced from said support plate and mounted directly on saidnon-metallic frame member, a feed wheel for driving a container inrotation, a drive shaft connected to said feed wheel and extendingthrough one of said bosses and said support plate, and elastic drivemeans between said motor and said drive shaft to compensate forinaccuracies in the location thereof on said frame member.

15. In a container opener as defined in claim 14, wherein said motorincludes a motor shaft, a pulley mounted on said motor shaft, saidpulley having a circumferential groove therein with driving faces, saidfaces being generally convex, said elastic means frictionally engagingsaid surfaces to be driven thereby, so that the pulley may accommodateelastic drive means of different sizes and still maintain the necessarytorque for drivng the feed wheel drive shaft.

16. In a container opener as defined in claim 15, wherein said elasticmeans is a resilient O ring.

17. In a container opener as defined in claim 15, and further includinga second pulley having convex drive surfaces, a shaft supporting saidsecond pulley and mounted in said support plate and one of said bosses,a third pulley between said first and second pulleys connected to drivesaid feed wheel drive shaft, said third pulley being of larger diameterthan said first and second pulleys, said elastic means including aresilient O ring surrounding said pulley for transferring torque fromsaid first pulley to said second and third pulleys.

18. In a container opener, the combination comprising: a frame member, afeed wheel mounted for rotation in said frame member, a cutter carryingplate on one side of said frame member movable between an inactiveposition and a container cutting position; a manual handle for movingsaid cutter plate including a non-metallic handle frame, said handleframe having a plurality of integral bosses extending therefrom andterminating in a single plane, said bosses having bores therein, ahandle support plate mounted on the ends of said bosses, a handle pivotshaft mounted in one of said bosses and extending through said supportplate, said support plate also providing a mounting for said pivotshaft, said pivot shaft extending into and supported in said frame, anda cam shaft mounted in another of said bores and said support plate,said cam shaft being connected to move said cutter carrying plate.

19. In a container opener, the combination comprising: a non-metallicframe member having integral bosses extending therefrom, a metal supportplate mounted on the ends of said bosses, a cutter carrying plate on theforward face of said frame member and pivotally supported in said framemember and in said support plate, a cutter on said cutter plate, arotatable feed wheel adjacent said cutter plate and mounted in saidframe member and said support plate, said cutter plate having a firstslot therein generally aligned on an arc about said pivot, said cutterplate having a second cam slot therein generally aligned on a linepassing through said pivot, said second slot intersecting said firstslot and extending further from said pivot than said first slot, apivotal operating lever assembly mounted in said frame and said supportplate including a pivot received in and slidable with respect to saidfirst slot, a cam pin mounted in said operating lever and extending intosaid second slot to effect pivotal movement of the cutter carryingplate, said operating lever being movable to a container cuttingposition where the cam pin is in the end of the second slot furthestaway from said cutter plate pivot, spring means urging said cam pin awayfrom the container cutting position, means responsive to the cuttingforces for urging said pin toward the container cutting position, amotor for rotating said feed wheel mounted directly on said non-metallicframe member, a flexible contact switch for said motor mounted adjacentthereto, a pivotal flexible lever engaging said cam pin and connected toactuate said switch, said motor having a pulley with convex divergingfriction surfaces, and an O ring engaging said surfaces and adapted todrive said feed wheel.

20. In a container opener the combination comprising: a rotatable feedwheel for driving the container to be opened, a cutting member, meansfor relatively moving said feed wheel and said cutting member includingmeans for relatively moving said feed wheel and cutter member togetherto pierce the container lid and means for thereafter withdrawing thecutter to a cutting position, and electric motor means for rotating saidfeed wheel while said cutting member and feed wheel are in the cuttingposition whereby the starting load on said electric motor means isreduced.

21. In a container opener the combination comprising: a feed wheel fordriving a container in rotation, electric motor means for rotating saidfeed Wheel, a cutter, a cutter carrying plate pivotally mounted about afirst axis, said cutter being fixed to said plate at a point spaced fromsaid plate pivot, a first slot in said plate generally aligned on an arcabout the plate pivot, a second cam slot in said plate generally alignedwith a line extending through said plate pivot, said cam slot extendingaway from said pivot beyond said are, a lever for pivoting said cutterplate between an inactive position and a cutting position, said leverhaving a pivot extending through said first slot and a projection spacedfrom said lever pivot and engaging said cam slot, said cam slot andmeans including and projection cooperating so that said cutter piercesthe container and then withdraws slightly therefrom whereby the cutterinitially pierces an enlarged opening in the container to minimize thestarting load on said electric motor means.

22. In a container opener, the combination comprising: a rotatable feedwheel for driving the container to be opened, motor means for rotatingsaid feed wheel, a cutter carrying member movable between a cuttingposition and an inactive position, manually operable means for movingsaid member from the inactive position to a position piercing thecontainer and to a cutting position, means for biasing said member awayfrom the cutting position, means for energizing said motor means afterthe container is pierced, means including the cutting force for biasingsaid member toward the cutting position, and means responsive to theposition of said cutter carrying member for deenergizing said motormeans.

23. In a container opener, the combination comprising: a generallyvertical frame member, a feed Wheel extending from said frame memberadapted to drive a container in rotation, a motor mounted on said framemember spaced from said feed wheel, said motor having a switch adjacentthereto adapted to connect said motor 111 to a source of supply, acuttenmember mounted on said frame member, means for relatively movingsaid, feed Wheel and said cutter member to an inactive position and acutting position; and a switch actuating assembly for closingand openingsaid switch as the cutter member and feed wheel approach and withdrawfrom the cutting position including an elongated flexible member havingone end connected to move in response to said relative movement of thecutter member toward the cutting position, the-other endbeing connectedto said switch, whereby over-travel ofisaid one end of the elongatedmember after the switch is closed will result in a flexure of theelongated member, said elongated member being longitudinally flexibleand pivotally mounted between the engaged ends thereof adjacentsaidframe member, said motor includinga motor housing; said switchincluding a flexible contact member within said housing, and a plungerslidably mounted in said housing and engaging at one end said elongatedmember and'at the other end the flexible contact member whereby theswitch will close upon the initial pivotal movement of the elongatedmember and further movement thereof will merely bend said resilientcontact member and said elongatedmember.

24. In a container opener, the combination comprising: anon-metallicframe member having a plurality of integral bosses extending rearwardlytherefrom and terminating in a plane substantially parallel to theforward face of said frame member, said bosses having bores therein, avsupport plate mounted on the distal ends of said nonmetallic bosses andhaving openings therein aligned with saidboss bores, operating shaftsextending through said said cutter plate being mounted: on one of saidshafts or:

pivotal movement, a manual handle for movinglsaid cutter carrying plateincluding a non-metallichandle frame, said handle frame having aplurality of integral bosses extending therefrom and terminating in asingle plane,

said bosses having bores therein, a handle support plate mounted. on.the ends of said bosses, one ofsaid shafts being a handle pivot shaftand extending from the forward face of said frame member, said handlepivot shaft being mounted in one ofsaid handle frame'bosses and saidhandle support plate, and a cam. shaft mounted in another of said handleframe bores and saidsupport plate, said handle cam shaft being connectedto move said cutter carrying. plate.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,959,852 11/1960 Moore s 30-42,974,409 3/1961 Ghinazz'i 30-4 2,979,315 4/1961 Rohde et a1. 30' 4'2,994,953 8/1961 Aberer Q. 30-4, 3,018,549 1/1962 Spielmari 3043,075,322 1/1963 Uthoif. i 3,078,568 2/1963 McLean et al. 30-4 3,156,04411/1964 Congdon et al. 30-4 FOREIGN PATENTS 525,918 9/ 1921 France.487,214 12/ 1928 Germany.

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Era-miner, G. WEIDENFELD, Assistant Examiner.

21. IN A CONTAINER OPENER THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: A FEED WHEEL FORDRIVING A CONTAINER IN ROTATION, ELECTRIC MOTOR MEANS FOR ROTATING SAIDFEED WHEEL, A CUTTER, A CUTTER CARRYING PLATE PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ABOUT AFIRST AXIS SAID CUTTER BEING FIXED TO SAID PLATE AT A POINT SPACED FROMSAID PLATE PIVOT, A FIRST SLOT IN SAID PLATE GENERALLY ALIGNED ON AN ARCABOUT THE PLATE PIVOT, A SECOND CAM SLOT IN SAID PLATE GENERALLY ALIGNEDWITH A LINE EXTENDING THROUGH SAID PLATE PIVOT, SAID CAM SLOT EXTENDINGAWAY FROM SAID PIVOT BEYOND SAID ARC, A LEVER FOR PIVOTING SAID CUTTERPLATE BETWEEN AN INACTIVE POSITION AND A CUTTING POSITION, SAID LEVERHAVING A PIVOT EXTENDING THROUGH SAID FIRST SLOT AND A PROJECTION SPACEDFROM SAID LEVER PIVOT AND ENGAGING SAID CAM SLOT, AND CAM SLOT AND MEANSINCLUDING AND PROJECTION COOPERATING SO THAT SAID CUTTER PIERCES THECONTAINER AND THEN WITHDRAWS SLIGHTLY THEREFROM WHEREBY THE CUTTERINITIALLY PIERCES AN ENLARGED OPENING IN THE CONTAINER TO MINIMIZE THESTARTING LOAD ON SAID ELECTRIC MOTOR MEANS.